I see a few people on here have done some aftermarket modifications to their duramax vans. I would like to install an exhaust system, turbo down pipe, egr block etc. but every diesel performance dealer I talk with can't seem to help me with the parts I want. For my pick up truck no problem, for the van I get that deer in the headlights feeling from them. Where are you guys finding these aftermarket parts? Where can I get my questions answered? Or is the exhaust something that is installed and fabricated by an exhaust shop?

Any help would be appreciated.

Chad at Alligator is the van mans friend

But just fyi
The truck exhaust fits, you just have to remove one mount finger thingy and re weld it in another spot

Chad at Alligator is the van mans friend

But just fyi
The truck exhaust fits, you just have to remove one mount finger thingy and re weld it in another spot


I called there and talked with someone else and he infromed me that they didnt have anything to help me. I will call back and talk to Chad apparently he is the answer man.

Thank you.

Ummm, wow

I'm going to send chad a msg now. That's disappointing to hear

Maybe just a new guy that hasn't been trained in all things van yet. Post back if you can't get ahold of a good answer there

Ummm, wow

I'm going to send chad a msg now. That's disappointing to hear


I dont want to get anyone in trouble. The person I dealt with was top notch when it came to all of the parts I ordered for my truck. He had a lot of patience and answered many many questions with an incredible amount of knowledge. This is one of the reasons I decided to outfit my van with some of their parts. Apparently vans are not his thing. I do however have a hard time believing that one person can install a turbo down pipe on a LMM truck in two hours like he told me. I must be a terrible mechanic!!!!

Vans get overlooked a lot by the parts places. But like I said earlier, the truck exhaust fits. I did a 4 inch straight pipe on the dmax van I had. I didn't do the down pipe on mine, but pretty sure others have

Don't be afraid to ask any ?s you have on your van in here. A lot of good guys willing and able to help with van info. Van tuning is a little different than the trucks too if your looking for a tuner

Oh, welcome to DP

The truck exhaust will fit with a little fab work nothing serious depending on your skill level. Turbo direct pipe is the same as trucks. Just tell Chad you have been talking to me and he can look up what he sold me.

The truck exhaust will fit with a little fab work nothing serious depending on your skill level. Turbo direct pipe is the same as trucks. Just tell Chad you have been talking to me and he can look up what he sold me.

Who exactly do I tell him you are? What type of fabricating are you refering to?

Duane - Shop Specialties - Montana. Chad knows me. Dent the down pipe or trim the ear on the transmission. I cut and re-welded some brackets to fit better.

Duane - Shop Specialties - Montana. Chad knows me. Dent the down pipe or trim the ear on the transmission. I cut and re-welded some brackets to fit better.

Perfect, I will be calling Chad tomorrow. I was hoping I would hear from you. I read several of your post and it seemed like you have "been there done that already" and I could possibly save a few steps by getting some info. from you. Thanks again.

I ordered a Magnaflow turbo back system for a Crew cab short bed. Fit well on the van. Picked up some extra ponies and some extra MPG!

I just wanted to give an update on my project. I was finally able to talk to Chad at alligator and he lined me up with all of the parts I needed. I installed a 4" diamond eye turbo back exhaust system, turbo down pipe, pcv relocate kit, EGR blocker plate and a bully dog power pup tuner. All said and done it was only about two hours work. I cant wait to see if my mileage improves at all.

What do you guys recomend for a gauge set up? I am pretty much only concerned with the EGTS but I suppose a boost gauge would be kind of nice. Right now I am driving it blind with no gauges and I dont want any problems. Any ideas?

Thanks everyone for all your help.

I would not worry about EGT unless you are running a big tune and towing heavy. I have never had a pyro and I am still good after 150,000+ miles. Your #1 concern should be transmission temps. I use a old style Edge Insight for gauges and I am waiting on Edge to do some testing with the new style Insight CT/CTS. I see where you went Bully Dog for a tuner, did you see the Watchdog and Triple Dog GT they offer ?

I see now that Bully Dog offers the Watch Dog and Triple Dog GT. But I've had this Power Pup tuner since 2006 and I don't believe Bully Dog had another tuner available for the Duramax Vans at that point. So that is how I ended up with the Power Pup.

What do you know about the testing with the Edge CTS? What are they testing for? Are they potentially going to let us use this as a tuner for the vans?

I do have this van loaded pretty heavy. It weighs about 9,200#. Should I be concerned about the EGT temps?

Edge Insight CTS is just the gauge not a tuner. They are not going to offer tunes for Duramax vans.
I bought a Insight CTS back in November but it was not programmed for Dmax vans. So they need to program it for our vans and I am going to test it for them.

Dads van hauls and tows more than me and he has had no problems with stock exhaust, 50 horse tune and 200,000 miles on his.

Please keep me informed on the results of the testing.

Do you have any pictures of the air intake system you built?

Search - custom van air intake - you will find the thread I had started with pictures.